Geraldine C. Gunther

Geraldine "Gerri" Crandall Gunther, age 95, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at River Glen in St. Charles, with her loving family by her side.

She was born January 28, 1930, in Harvey, the daughter of Clarence F. Becker and Clara L (Bannach) Becker.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our mother, Geraldine Marie Becker Crandall Gunther, who left us on June 18, 2025, at the age of 95.  Gerri was full of love, laughter and faith.  She touched the lives of all that knew her.  Gerri was born on January 28, 1930, to Clara and Clarence Becker in Harvey.  She went to Ascension Grade School where she developed a deep Catholic faith.  She attended Thorton High School where she was on the synchronized swim team.  She took business classes in high school and worked at Sears and then at IBM in Chicago as a keypunch operator. 

Gerri met her first husband, Joe Crandall, at a basketball game.  Gerri and Joe dated and decided to get married.  Joe was drafted into the Navy, however, and they decided they would marry next time he was on leave. They married on April 1, 1952.  It was always a family joke they got married on April Fool’s Day.  Gerri and Joe had six children in the next ten years and moved to Geneva in 1968.  Joe started his own CPA firm and had his office in downtown Geneva for many years.  The family joined St. Peter’s Parish, and five of their six children graduated from St. Peter’s Grade School. 

Gerri was a Eucharistic Minister for many years and visited the homebound.  Joe passed away in 2000 and Gerri renewed a friendship with her second husband, Bill Gunther.  They married in 2003 and moved to Jerseyville in central Illinois.  Bill never had any children and inherited six kids and fourteen grandchildren when he and Gerri married.  Gerri and Bill lived a quiet life for years with many family visits until Gerri got sick in 2022 while visiting her son Tim.  She was hospitalized and ended up staying with her son, Tim, and his wife, Pat, for over a year. Gerri had surgery in 2023 and then became a resident of River Glen Assisted Living in St. Charles.  Bill remained in Jerseyville with his family due to his declining health. Gerri and Bill talked on the phone each week and visited when possible until his death in January 2025.  Gerri enjoyed being back in the Fox Valley area and loved visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Gerri enjoyed knitting and hand knitted baby blankets for her great-grandchildren.  Gerri also loved to shop, especially for clothing and shoes.  The family always joked about her shoe gene and the fact that at one point she owned over one hundred pairs of shoes. Her family meant the world to Gerri, and she was always thankful for her many blessings, large family and long life.  Gerri will be missed by all those that knew her.

She is survived by her sons Christopher (Sheri) of St. Charles, John of Wisconsin, and Tim (Pat)of Florida; daughters Mary (George) Crandall Janke of Delavan, Linda (Robin) Anderson of Elburn, and Janet (Richard) Sampson of Geneva; grandchildren, Neil (Mackenzie) Anderson of Nashville, Stephanie (Brandon) Keffeler of Elburn, Stephen Crandall of Colorado, Richard (Samantha) Sampson of Geneva , Elizabeth Crandall and husband Travis Mandell of Chicago, Erin (Jeremy) Sweat of Texas, Paul Crandall of Knoxville, Maxwell (Eliz) Crandall of Tennessee, Daniel Janke of Delavan, Mary (Cole) Tegge of Chicago, Matthew (Cailyn) Sampson of Batavia, Michael Sampson of Washington, Therese (Robert) Benedetto of Geneva, and Joseph Sampson of Geneva; great grandchildren Dexter and Oliver Benedetto, Addie Crandall, Emerson and Conley Sweat, Clementine Keffeler, Cole and Sienna Sampson, Solidago Anderson, and Maxwell and Everly Sampson; and many other dear relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husbands Joe Crandall and William Gunther.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 9:00 until the time of the funeral prayers at 10:30 am at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva proceeding to St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva for Celebration of Funeral Mass at 11:00 am with Father Ryan Browning Celebrant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdOBwznYzk

Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva.

In lieu of flowers, memorial to St Peter’s Church, 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva, Illinois 601434 would be appreciated.

For information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com.

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